TIS28 - Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)

TIS28 Rev. 11

Lend a Hand!

Since 1971, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been partnering with community organizations to have volunteers prepare income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals.

If you have a basic understanding of income tax and would like to become a CVITP volunteer, you need to be associated with a community organization. Your local CRA coordinator can help you to identify a local organization.

Helping people in your community

Many taxpayers do not know how to prepare their income tax and benefit return themselves. We need volunteers like you to provide this important community service to taxpayers who have low income and a simple tax situation.

Volunteers must respect the confidentiality of taxpayer information and decline any offers of monetary reward for their services.

What do I get out of it?

As a volunteer with the CVITP you will:

• give back to your community;
• help Canadians maintain uninterrupted access to benefits and entitlements;
• gain new skills and improve existing ones; and
• receive training, free tax software, and a kit of reference material.

Need a hand?

Are you unable to prepare your income tax and benefit return yourself?

Each year, the CRA trains CVITP volunteers who can prepare your tax return for you if your income is low and your tax situation is simple.

Taxpayers served by the CVITP

These include:

• Aboriginal peoples;
• Low income individuals and social assistance recipients;
• Newcomers to Canada;
• Seniors; and
• Students.

Volunteers do not prepare tax returns for complex situations such as:

• returns for deceased persons;
• individuals who file for bankruptcy;
• self-employed individuals;
• individuals who report capital gains or losses; or
• individuals who report employment expenses, or business or rental income and expenses.

Want to know more about the CVITP?

For more information about the CVITP, to find out how to become a volunteer, or to find a participating community organization in your area, go to www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer or call us at 1‑800‑959‑8281.